Microsoft Corp, the world's largest software maker, wants to sell its online magazine Slate and has begun talks with potential buyers, a source close to the talks said late Friday.
The eight-year-old online publication, founded by former New Republic editor and CNN "Crossfire" host Michael Kinsley, has attracted a loyal following of about 5 million readers per month, but has not yet produced a significant profit for Microsoft.
About five or six potential buyers have expressed interest in Slate, the source said, and a deal may be signed within weeks or months.
One condition that Microsoft is setting is that Slate remain within or affiliated with its MSN Internet division, which also publishes the online news site MSNBC.com.
Slate was launched in 1996 as a platform for "insightful and often uproarious analysis of news, politics, and culture," according to a description of the site on Microsoft's Web site.
Bill Gates, Microsoft's co-founder and chairman, has described himself as an avid reader and fan of the online magazine.
Microsoft will continue to fund and support Slate even if it doesn't find a buyer, the source said.
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